sesson 1: The Character of God

A Biblical Perspective on HealthSession 1: The Character of GodEx. 34:6-7, John 9:1-7

Discerning the character of God is essential to understanding God, ourselves, and the world about us. We are shown His character in many ways, but let us look at these four ways to see the character of God as a starting point. First, though, let us look at an example of why we must understand who God is.

In John 9:2, the disciples saw a man born blind and asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?"This question offered two false choices. We often see this in the questions put to Jesus, two false choices, and Jesus' answer is a third way, a more excellent way. (How often are we given two false choices by our leaders?)"Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.'"

One explanation for verse 3, provided by a Thomas Nelson Study Bible and believed by many Christians, is as follows: 9:2-3“It was commonly supposed that sickness was a result of sin. It would follow that sins committed by a baby still in the womb could result in a baby being born with a disease. Jesus rejected both suggestions. God allowed the baby to be born blind so that Jesus could heal him and thus reveal the works of God, His healing power.”

Is this explanation consistent with what we know of sin and God? Would God cause years of blindness in order that Jesus could heal the grown man? What evidence do we have that there is a better explanation than given in this Study Bible? ___________________ Coming to a better understanding of God will help us to more accurately understand His word.

First, let's look at the character of God as He has told us....How do the characteristics of God from Exodus 34:6-7 help us to understand God’s role in disease and death? _________________

Merciful/keeping mercy for thousands

Gracious/forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin

Longsuffering/and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and fourth generation*

Abundant in goodness and truth

*Note that although God forgives, He does not free us from the consequences of our actions.

These are not the characteristics of a God who causes disease.

Our second source to discover the characteristics of God:is the Bible. Throughout the Scriptures we catch glimpses of God's character.Below are a few of the many characteristics used to describe God. Note that all of these are consistent with God wanting His Creation to be in health, to be fully what He has created.

A third way we can see the character of God is in Jesus. At the last supper, Jesus has just washed the disciples' feet and told them of His betrayer. In John 14, He goes on to tell them that He will leave them but is going to prepare a room for them (His disciples would have recognized this as the same promise that a Jewish man makes to his betrothed). In the interchange with Philip that follows, Jesus makes the boldest of statements:7 “'If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves'" (John 14"7-11).The words in red in the Gospels show us the character of God. When we just read the words in red, without all the commentary, we may see a very different picture of Jesus and of God than we have been taught.

A fourth way to see the character of God is shown us by Paul in Romans - the Creation itself."For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools..." (Rom. 1:20-21).And in Romans 2 where Paul speaks of the law of God written on the heart of Gentiles, the law that is the order of the universe, he says, "for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts..." (Rom 2:14-15).The idea that there is a right and a wrong transcends the material world. In a universe without God, a universe in existence by chance, where would any being get the idea that we are to behave in some particular way beyond self-interest? From where would the ideas of justice and goodness come? ___________________________________________ C. S. Lewis speaks eloquently of this in the first chapter of Mere Christianity. We all have an inherent belief in the law of right and wrong, yet we also have the freedom to disobey this law. Unlike material laws such as gravity, which establish the workings of the universe and demand our obedience, we may choose to ignore the laws that establish character. Note that these moral laws regarding right and wrong are not variable - lying never makes people think more highly of a man or woman, and stealing is never praised as a good character trait.

We are told to be holy as God is holy.(Lev. 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16). We are to be whole as He is whole. We are to follow the laws that He follows. Indeed, we are to follow the laws that led His Son to the cross. Note how valuable God considers the law - it is more important than the angels who fell, more important than the disobedient world at the flood, more important than His Son. The law of love is the law that governs all, and this is the law that He desires to be written in and on our hearts.

We forget who God is when we forget the law of love. God had no defender in Eden when the serpent accused Him before Eve. When God is charged with actions that are out of character, looking at other possibilities is wise!

The serpent in Eden is often evoked as the epitome of evil in this world. And, yes, this is the first instance given of evil in the world, but we must shift our focus to the recurring examples of disobedience throughout history. This disregard for God and His intentions for us may best be exemplified in the story of Babel. This is man's blatant defiance of God portrayed most vividly. There is no one to whom we can point an accusing finger other than mankind, i.e., ourselves. More on this later....

Discussion questions:

What is the one underlying reason for disease/death? (1 Cor. 15:21, Heb. 2:14) ______________________________________

Who does Job 1:9-10 and Job 2:4-5 tell us is the source of disease? _______________________________________________

Sin – or in the secular world, making a bad decision or a poor choice – has a dramatic impact on our health and well-being. The 3 causes of disease – our choices, the choices of others, and living in a sinful world – involve sin (“poor choices”). How do we make better choices in this world? _______________________________________________________________________________

God created the world, and everything was "good." For the Creator to love His Creation and desire the best for those He has created is only natural. Everything was created to be in harmony with God and with the rest of Creation. This is because everything was designed to run on God's energy, in essence, to be an extension of God. What God has created for us, what He has given to us and directed us to use, are the things that will work best for us, that will make us most blessed or happy. When we choose something other than what He has designed for us, we are essentially choosing another lord and to be less blessed, less happy.

God does not have to cause someone to be born blind or to suffer in a particular way. Mankind has done a very good job (with Satan's help) of creating disease on our own.

The 3 causes of disease (including everything from a slight illness to death): our actions, the actions of others, and living in a degraded world.1. Can what we do, our own thoughts and actions, affect our health? ______________________________2. Can what others do affect our health? _____________________________________________________3. What is the cause of disease described in John 9:3? (The above references from 1 Cor., Hebrews, and the book of Job may help on this!) ____________________________________ Session 2